The Ultimate Guide to Lasers and How to Find the Right One For You

As an adventurous beauty writer and skin care junkie, I've tried tons of different treatments in the name of fighting wrinkles, erasing acne scarring, and boosting collagen, many of which might make you squirm. Have you ever heard of the vampire facial? I've tried microneedling, allowed snails to crawl all over my face, and everything in between. Truth be told, none of these things have been as effective as a good laser treatment.

So what exactly is a laser? Lasers are tools that have one wavelength of light. In the skin care world, there are multiples types of lasers available in an array of wavelengths, each serving a different function. There are two main groups of lasers: those used for skin rejuvenation and those used for hair removal. Here's everything you need to know about both groups, so you can decide if laser treatments are something you should consider.

The first thing you should consider are your goals. Do you hope to eliminate dark spots, treat wrinkles, or get rid of unwanted hair? Next, do your research (that's what I am here for!). Lasers are not magic wands: they come with some side effects and recovery time. Plus, every skin tone and type is different, so make sure you are choosing a laser that is compatible with yours.

To make sense of all of this information, I've rounded up the most popular types of lasers and explain what to know before you go, what it feels like during the treatment, and how to deal with the aftermath.